PORTSMOUTH — When local police detectives intercepted Anthony "Tony" Sawyer's phone line in November 2007, he was overheard threatening to "put a bullet" in the head of any police informant who worked against him, police prosecutor Corey MacDonald told a judge on Friday.

Elizabeth Dinan

PORTSMOUTH — When local police detectives intercepted Anthony "Tony" Sawyer's phone line in November 2007, he was overheard threatening to "put a bullet" in the head of any police informant who worked against him, police prosecutor Corey MacDonald told a judge on Friday.

Sawyer, 49, of 424 Church St., Rollinsford, is the "ring leader" for a gang of violent home invaders, MacDonald told Exeter District Court Judge R. Lawrence Cullen, while successfully arguing that Sawyer should be held on a half-million dollars cash bail.

Sawyer was one of four people arrested during a Thursday night drug sting in the parking lot of a Home Depot store by officers from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. marshals, and members of the Seacoast Emergency Response Team and Portsmouth and the Rochester Police Department. After his arrest in Portsmouth, Sawyer was charged by Rochester police with committing a home invasion using a .50-caliber Desert Eagle handgun, one of four guns seized from his home, said MacDonald.

Appearing without an attorney in the Brentwood court on Friday, Sawyer was arraigned on three felony charges alleging the sale of $1,800 worth of OxyContin.

"That sounds really bad, but a lot of it is not true" Sawyer told the judge. "I'm not a threat to the community, nor am I a runner. I'm a self-employed landscaper and I need to work. I have a few thousand dollars, but not a substantial amount of money."

Cullen set bail at $500,000 cash and scheduled Sawyer to return to the court on July 8. MacDonald said the case will likely be transferred to federal authorities.

Also arrested during the Home Depot bust was Saxton Lynch, 22, of 66 Baer Road, Rollinsford, on a felony count of conspiracy to sell controlled drugs, OxyContin. Police say Lynch was also wanted on warrants from Nottingham for charges of disobeying an officer, receiving stolen property, conduct after an accident, habitual offender, false report to a police officer and breach of bail.

Lynch is a two-time National Collegiate Wrestling Association national champion wrestler at the University of New Hampshire. He recently completed his sophomore year, where he went undefeated for the second straight season in the 285-pound class. Nationally, he is the second-ranked wrestler in his weight class and 24th overall, according to the NCWA, which is a national organization for club-level wrestling.

Arraigned before the same judge, Lynch was represented by attorney John Durkin.

MacDonald argued for $100,000 cash bail, noting the open warrants and a pending domestic assault charge from Durham.

"We believe he's a danger to the community," MacDonald told the court. "We are alleging he's part of Anthony Sawyer's home invasion gang."

Durkin told the court his client is a lifelong resident of the state and noted his father's appearance in the courtroom.

"Most of the charges are motor-vehicle related and he has never defaulted," said Durkin.

Cullen set bail at $25,000 personal recognizance and $75,000 cash, which Durkin said his client will not be able to post. He was scheduled to return to the court on July 1.

"We believe Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Lynch been involved in major felonies throughout the Seacoast," said Police Capt. Janet Champlin. "We believe they are very dangerous individuals and are very pleased with these arrests and appreciate the assistance of the other agencies."

Sawyer's girlfriend, Christine Anderson, 29, of 29 Weald Road, was also arrested during the Home Depot bust on a charge of hindering apprehension. She was released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail and appeared in the courtroom for the Friday arraignments. On her left shoulder is a tattoo of a heart and the name "TONY."

Also arrested during the multi-agency sting was Steven Anderson, 43, with no fixed address, on a charge of conspiracy to sell a controlled drug. He did not appear for arraignment and Christine Anderson told the Herald they are not related.

Dozens of plain-clothed and armored police officers converged on the parking lot of the Woodbury Avenue Home Depot store at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday, when the four were taken into custody.

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